why some legacy businesses fail to move forward
When I think about Robert Greene, I remember that he had a mental mentor, Ryan Holiday. You might have read Ryan’s books. He has written many famous ones. Ryan speaks very highly of Robert Greene, the guy who wrote 48 Laws of Power. I recently heard a podcast on Joe Rogan where Ryan was invited, and it got me thinking about guidance, legacy, and finding your own path.
Just like Indians are deeply connected to Mahabharata and Krishna’s philosophy, foreigners, even in India, are drawn to Stoicism. The best example is Marcus Aurelius. Marcus wrote notes to himself, reflections that are still relevant today. Ryan Holiday has explored Marcus’ life, his family, and what shaped him. This the times when a Julius Caesar was emperor in rome Marcus became one of the few emperors who truly cared for his people. His father, also a great emperor, adopted him as a part or succession plam. Marcus lived up to that, becoming a wise and just emperor. He has been empathetic, resourceful and a true emperor.
Then there was his son, Commodus. A complete contrast, cruel, self-interested, neglecting his duties.
Kids failing to live upto their parents
Ananya Birla who stepped into music
It shows a pattern we see over and over, children of great parents often fail to carry the legacy forward. Second or third generations of businesses or families sometimes do not reach the heights of their predecessors. Ryan says it is because the parents were so focused on their work that they were absent in their children’s lives. The weight of expectations can crush talent and there was no lack of ability.
Personal evidence
I have seen this in my own family. My father has done incredibly well, and my maternal grandfather also achieved so much in his generation and they are looked upon in our community. But their children, my uncles and myself, faced challenges trying to follow the same paths. I admired my father and tried to walk in his footsteps. I tried insurance selling, finance, sales, even starting my own firm, studied maths. I failed many times in all these because their choices for me was louder. And slowly, I realized I was carrying someone else’s legacy. I wasn’t living my own calling. Even though every experience does come handy.
Every child of accomplished parents struggles with this. Most of our generation parents fought for survival. We grow up in comfort, comfort of choices, and increase of distractions. Comfort comes with challenge of its own. We have resources and options they did not, yet it is harder to trust our instincts. Move forward. Fail as many times as you need to. Over time, you will start to see what is not meant for you and what truly is.
Here is what is interesting
Following your calling often means going against expectations. You may have to step into the world without a safety net, start from zero, earn respect, and create proof that your path works. It is hard, but it is worth it.
Identifying The pull
Just like My callings have also been there, trying to call me like journaling, to get out of my own head, getting therapy while exploring myself, feeling a pull toward marketing, a pull toward design, aesthetics, interior design, Writing blogs, throwing birthday parties, speaking, creating, experimenting, these were all signs of my path. I still have to fully explore them and make the most out of them and right now i feel aligned, so look for alignment.
To take steps in our calling’s desire without feeling guilty is something I have been recently learning, because often the pull to follow our own path comes with weight, weight of expectations, of family, of comparison. But pursuing it does not make us selfish. It is necessary.
Failing forward has been one of the most important lessons I have learned. Every failure has brought me closer to understanding my calling. Each time I tried something and it did not work, I learned more about myself, what I wanted, and what I did not want. Failing is not the opposite of progress, it is part of the journey.
Your calling leaves signs, it pulls you, attracts you and each failure is a guidepost showing you what is meant for you. Every step, every mistake, every experiment brings you closer to discovering what you are truly meant to do.
That is how you become free, not by inheriting someone else’s path, but by building your own.
Checkpoints to make sure of
1. Trust your instincts. Your calling is yours, not your parents’.
2. Step out of comfort. Growth comes from struggle, not ease.
3. Be brave enough to Start from zero. Respect and success must be earned on your own terms.
4. Failure is part of the journey. Every mistake teaches you about yourself and guides you toward your calling.
5. Break patterns if needed. Do not let family legacy define your life.
6. Seek mentors. Guidance from the right people can accelerate your path.
7. Be brave in the face of expectations. Pursue what makes sense to you, even if others do not understand.
8. Create evidence of possibility. Show the world and yourself that your path works.
9. Freedom comes from building your own life. True respect and satisfaction come when you design your own story.
10. Your calling will guide you. Fail, explore, and listen to the signs. Over time, you will know what is truly yours.
11. Your personal callings matter. Even small pulls toward what you love are signs you can follow, and it is never too late to start.
Last, and most importantly
Take steps in your calling without feeling guilty. Following your path is not selfish.
Hoping this article helps you on your way to step closer to meet yourself.
Thank you!
Keep expressing your authenticity !!
Thank you, I will!!